Good Morning, Folks! It’s Wednesday May 07 ! – What’s the May plan for your Govcon?

🎉Today, we’re diving into top government contract strategies, the latest opportunities, and all the news you didn’t know you needed. First time reading? Join with other curious minds – because who doesn’t want to stay ahead of the game? 😎 Sign up here
And as always, send us feedback at info@govcondigest.com

🌟FAR-Out Changes Ahead!!

Hey GovCon fan, are you the one who is buried under 300 pages of FAR clauses wondering if this is still your beautiful life? Well, grab a coffee this morning because the Trump-era Revolutionary FAR Overhaul is real, and it’s coming in hot. You already know President Trump kicked this off with two executive orders in mid-April, aiming to totally rethink how the federal government buys stuff

And let me tell you, the first batch of changes they dropped on Friday? It’s like they took a machete to the FAR, slashing away anything that isn’t legally required or “essential to sound procurement.” We’re talking a leaner, meaner FAR that’s ready to make your life as a contractor a whole lot easier, hopefully!

So, what’s on the chopping block? They’re starting with Part 1 which is the FAR system basics, Part 34 which is  major system acquisitions and Part 52 which is solicitation and contract clauses. Part 34 got shrunk to just 20% of its original size which can feel like your favorite novel got cut down to a short story! Part 53 took a big hit too. And here’s the wild part, they’re rolling these changes out right now through class deviations, so agencies can start using the new rules while the formal rulemaking process chugs along. They’re even asking for your “informal” feedback on Part 34, where you can share your opinion via the link they provided!

Do you know why these changes are happening? The big goal is to reduce paperwork and compliance headaches.They’re also giving acquisition teams and contracting officers way more freedom to flex their business judgment.They’re even pushing decision-making authority down the chain, encouraging teams to use strategies that make sense for the government, even if the FAR doesn’t spell it out.

You got a surprise, right? But there’s more for you! This overhaul is all about shifting from a compliance-heavy vibe to a risk management mindset. The FAR now nudges acquisition folks to take initiative, innovate, and document what works or what totally flops, so everyone can learn from it. And another spicy twist is they’ve added a sunset provision. Any FAR requirement not mandated by law will vanish four years after the final rule unless the FAR Council decides to keep it. Talk about keeping things fresh! Agencies are also on the hook to report quarterly starting July 15, sharing how they’re rolling out these changes and streamlining their processes.

So, do you get the vibe? For you as a contractor, this could mean less time buried in paperwork and more time focusing on what you do best!

📜 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION UPDATES

Today, we are going to learn a new word that is “technically unacceptable.” Unfortunately, the scarlet letter no small business wants to be slapped on their proposal. It’s like being told your cooking is “technically inedible” at a potluck. That’s not a good feedback! Many assume it’s just a sloppy proposal or a misquoted price. But, with the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) or pass/fail evaluations, government contracting officers often wield past performance easily. “No experience? No star employees? No entry!” they say.

Here’s the kicker: if your small business gets the boot for these reasons, then the agency might need to send your case to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for a second look. Skip that step, and they’re flirting with a government contracting compliance disaster. To avoid this mess, small businesses must flex their government contracting savvy. Did you get your past performance? Flex the achievements in glowing contract reviews like a proud parent. Key personnel? Make sure they’re not just warm bodies, but the rock stars the solicitation demands. If you suspect an unfair “technically unacceptable” ruling, you must know your SBA referral rights. In government contracting, a sprinkle of humor and a lot of prep can keep you from being the punchline. So, grab a consultant, decode those solicitations, and waltz past the traps to stay in the government contracting.

GAO’s Witty Slap on Sloppy Proposals in Government Contract Industry

GAO’s latest rulings in Resource Management Systems (B-422779) and GovTranz, LLC (B-423249) serve as a comedic reminder that FAR 15.306 clarifications won’t fix your proposal blunders. Missing or outdated pricing data? That’s not something agencies must forgive, even if it’s a clerical error. The GAO upheld that clarifications are discretionary in the government contract industry, not a lifeline for material defects. Proposals in the government contract industry can be tossed faster than anything they lack critical details.

🔓 Are You Tracking Your Metrics Right?

Tracking metrics in government contracting is a popular tough task that needs to be done. It requires focus, balance, and a solid system. Small businesses stepping into the GovCon world often find themselves in difficult situations. Numbers are everywhere: revenue, contract value, past performance scores, subcontractor costs. But figuring out which ones actually matter and how to track them is the real challenge.

Government agencies love data. And as a small business, you need data to make better decisions. But unlike the big primes, smaller contractors have to make things work with limited resources, usually a handful of people juggling multiple responsibilities. So, how do you track metrics without turning it into a full-time headache?

First, let’s talk about past performance. If GovCon had a report card, this would be it. Agencies rely on past performance evaluations to decide whether they want to trust you with their next contract. The problem? Many small businesses don’t pay attention to their Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) until it’s too late. The key is treating CPARs like credit scores, monitoring them regularly, challenging inaccuracies, and improving where necessary. This means tracking completion rates, customer satisfaction, timeliness, and compliance. 

Then there’s financial health. Government contracts don’t operate on the same timeline as the commercial world. You might win a contract today and not see actual revenue for months, or even a year. Cash flow tracking is critical. Many small businesses assume revenue alone is a good measure of success, but in GovCon, it’s all about how long you can sustain operations while waiting for the government to pay.

Pipeline tracking is another area where small businesses either thrive or get completely lost. Chasing opportunities without understanding where they are in the procurement cycle is like throwing darts in the dark. Are you focusing too much on bids you’ll never win? Ignoring recompete opportunities? Waiting until the last second to respond to RFPs? A solid tracking system (a simple Excel sheet or a dedicated CRM tool) helps businesses follow the lifeline of their opportunities. Don’t waste months chasing contracts that were never in reach.

Let’s not forget subcontractor management. Small businesses often team up with primes or other subcontractors to get a foothold in government contracting, but without the right metrics, partnerships can quickly turn messy. Small businesses need clear ways to monitor subcontractor performance, track compliance obligations, and ensure that teaming arrangements are profitable, not just convenient.

Tracking metrics isn’t just about collecting data. It’s about knowing what to do with it. If your numbers aren’t helping you make better decisions, they’re just taking up space. Small GovCon businesses need simple, actionable tracking methods. Whether it’s setting up monthly reviews, using automation tools, or just keeping better notes on contract performance, the key is consistency. In government contracting, the businesses that survive are the ones that know their numbers and use them wisely.

So, keep those plates spinning, track what matters, and make the numbers work for you. The government loves data, and if you learn to speak its language, your small business will go from barely keeping up to running the show.

💰 Booz Allen Scores Big with $743M Air Force Cloud Deal!

Hey GovCon nerds, did you hear the latest? Booz Allen Hamilton just snagged a potential $743.1 million task order with the U.S. Air Force to lead the charge on enterprise app modernization under the Cloud One Next initiative. Yes, they’re stepping up to modernize and migrate enterprise apps, helping the Air Force ditch those old on-premise data centers for a slick “cloud landing zone” that’ll make accessing applications a breeze.

With five proposals in the mix and the Pentagon nodding in approval, you can bet they brought their A-game to stand out! Right! Five companies went head-to-head for this piece of Cloud One Next. But in the end, Booz Allen landed the win.

Cloud One, kicked off back in 2017, has been the go-to hub for the Air Force and DoD to tap into top-notch cloud services. You’re curious about Booz Allen’s role? They’ll analyze apps, figure out the best way to update and move them to the cloud, and then stick around to keep things running smoothly. Actually, it’s a step up from SAIC’s earlier $684 million effort, which clocked 21 app migrations before its September wrap-up. The Air Force split Cloud One Next into three pieces, and Booz Allen nabbed one, while the third is focused on architecture, and support is still brewing. Meanwhile, Accenture Federal had their $1.6B reseller award for Cloud One Next canceled. Yeah, it got canned this spring due to some DoD efficiency shake-ups.

So, Booz Allen’s win isn’t just big; it’s cloud-sized. ☁️

🎯 Navigating FOCI in Government Contract Compliance!

A breath of fresh air! New law is zooming into the world of government contract compliance. And its surely shaking the supply chains like a rocket launch. Once upon a time, foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) rules only was a headache for dudes working on classified contracts. Read More…

🎯 ManTech’s $199M Contract Sparks a Cybersecurity Revolution !

Ever wondered if government contracts can be as thrilling as a blockbuster movie? One such contract shines brightly in the spotlight: ManTech’s $199 million award to support the NOAA Cyber Security Center. This deal is not only a significant infusion of cash. It is at the same time a sign that even the government can make big, unexpected bets. Read More…

🗣️ UPCOMING EVENTS

• Event: An Overview of Government Contract Claims; Deadline: May 14, 2025 / 01:00 pm EDT
• Event: Communications with Bidders; Deadline: May 14, 2025 / 10:00 am ET